Gone with the wind

 

At our supermarket car park you usually pick up a ticket at the barrier which you place inside your windscreen so that the car park attendant can easily see it when he does his rounds. When you leave, you hand the ticket at the exit barrier and you pay as you exit. So it is imperative you do not lose your parking ticket.

I’d finished shopping and I placed all my goods in the car. As I opened the driver’s door a gust of wind blew the ticket out of the car. I chased after it. It went under another parked car some yards away. I looked around for the car park attendant – there was no one to be seen. 

I knelt down and there winking at me teasingly was the ticket under a parked van. It was just out of reach as it smiled at me saying: “Come and get me!”

I went totally flat on my tummy and stretched my arm right out under the van, inching forwards a bit at a time until I touched the ticket with my fingertips. Another stretch and … “Got it!”

At this point I heard a woman say: “Are you all right, Sir?”

I eased myself from under the car as she said, “You seem to have fainted, Sir; and rolled under this van!”

Before I could explain myself she had called the car park attendant who now appeared out of nowhere. 

 

The attendant called for help on his walkie-talkie radio. Another shop assistant turned up with a chair followed by someone else with a glass of water.

“Sit down Sir …” they all seemed to say in unison, “have a sip to drink!”

I tried to explain what had really happened …

“He’s delirious poor soul …” said the woman who first found me on the ground, “he doesn’t know what he’s saying … maybe he hit his head hard as he fell!”

“I did not fall …” I said biting my lip to suppress any insults on my mind, “I went down on my knees voluntarily!”

“Did you want to pray, dear?” she asked patronisingly, "don't be concerned, the Good Lord loves you and will forgive all your sins if you ask Him. You do not have to kneel here in the middle of the car park! He is everywhere, you know?" then turning to the others she mumbled, “he doesn’t know where he is … thinks he’s in church poor soul! It happens to some people with age!”

What a damn cheek ... what did she mean by people with age? I am younger than her and could race her any day at drinking a chocolate milkshake faster than her. Besides, she looked ugly with her condescending religious voice that would turn any man to sin.

At this point the first aider turned up with his bag with a red cross on it. He opened it and asked, “Is he bleeding? Where did he hit his head? Does he want mouth to mouth resuscitation; only I don't like doing that. You don't know what germs you can pick up from a dying man, do you? Have you got any communicable diseases that I should know of, Sir? Or any of a sexual nature?”

Before I could answer something that he would remember for the rest of his life, the assistant manager turned up and asked me, “Are you making a complaint and seeking compensation, Sir? We'll deny all responsibilities, whatever they are. You'd be surprised how many people pretend to have been run over by stationary cars just to claim compensation!”

I remained calm under the circumstances and shouted, "Would you all get the hell out of here ... except this idiot pretending to be the ass manager!"

This gave me the opportunity to explain matters to someone who might be able to listen. They all looked at me in surprise and walked away mumbling to each other.

The assistant manager looked a bit of an idiot; but in dire times a bit of an idiot is better than none.

I told him what happened and assured him I had not intention of making any complaint or seek compensation. I just wanted to leave this stupid car park manned by escaped lunatics.

He went away much relieved. He told me the gate-keeper will let me out if I showed him my parking ticket.

As I reached the exit barrier the attendant there wanted to charge me a fee for overstaying my allotted time.

I had to explain all over again why I had stayed longer than the allotted parking time. He called the assistant manager who asked the attendant to let me out. The attendant refused. An argument ensued between the two of them and neither wanted to give way.

At this point a cashier turned up with a bag of onions in his hands, "are you the gentleman who forgot these at the cash desk?" he asked.

As the assistant manager and the car park attendant were arguing, I got out the car. Put my head through the kiosk opening and pushed a button on the panel marked OPEN. To my surprise, both men ignored me as they continued arguing about company policy.

 

I got in the car and left.

The moral of this story is:

If you enjoy what you read on this blog why not invite others here?

If you knew for certain ...

 

If you knew for certain that the world would end in three days' time; would you return the book you borrowed to the library or not bother?

And if you decide not to bother because of other more pressing things to do; then what are these things which take precedence? (Think hard about this).

And should you decide not to bother returning the book, do you realise that technically speaking this is stealing and you have broken one of the Ten Commandments? How would you explain this to Saint Peter?

And if you do return the book, would you tell the librarian that the world will end in a few days? Would you warn her? (Think hard about this also).

And if you decide not to tell the librarian, or anyone else; is that not being selfish and withholding salvation from someone else? How would you explain this to Saint Peter?

Is it not our duty and responsibility as Christians to tell everyone about eternal life and what they should do to get to Heaven?

I went to see a psychiatrist a few days ago. He was not well and we have to visit the sick, don't we?

I found him lying on his "medical couch" staring at the ceiling.

I sat beside him, picked up a pen and paper and casually said, "Tell me what's troubling you!"

He said, "If you knew for certain that the world would end in three days' time; would you return the book you borrowed to the library or not bother? ... ... ... ... ... "

 

 

CLAIM YOUR MONEY BACK HERE 

Too Hot for church!!!

  

 

I know it's been too hot here lately

 

with temperatures reaching 37*C (99*F) 

 

but really ...

 

This is too much. 

 

And in church too!

 

As soon as I saw them I rushed to the front

 

to tell them to cover up. 

 

What do you think?

 

Please comment below  

 

ONE Question

 

 

How many times

 

is Jesus mentioned

 

in the

 

OLD Testament?

 

Find out

 

HERE 

Happy 250th Anniversary

 

Happy 250th Anniversary

 

to all our

 

American friends.

 

God bless you all. 

The Christian Lounge

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Have you been to The Christian Lounge?

 

It is a Non-Denominational Christian website; a blog; a community of Christians; where we all gather together and share our Christian faith and beliefs with each other, and with a wider world of everyone out there on the Internet who wishes to know more about God and His Son, Jesus.

 

We started publishing various articles six months ago and we already have over 20,000 visitors from the USA, UK and various other countries in Europe and Asia.

 

We have nine dedicated contributors who send us short articles and stories every now and then which we publish on the website. We'd like many more.

 

All you have to do is send us an article of 500-600 words by email and we'll do the rest. Just tell others what God and Jesus mean in your life. There are many out there who do not know God, and what you write may well be their first step in their journey to seek Him. What a privilege this is for you.

 

If you're not ready to join us as a contributor, why not just visit The Christian Lounge and read what others have posted there. Invite your friends also.

 

We have covered a variety of topics like: Who is God? Who is Jesus? The comfort of Scripture, Old Age and Grace, You can make it in difficult times, The Power to heal, and many more.

 

Just spend some time browsing around. Just click on the photo at the top or click HERE   

 

The Christian Lounge needs you. It needs contributors and readers. The more the merrier.

 

Tell everyone about us on your social media as well as friends and family. Or on your Blog.

 

Come visit us. It's cheaper than an amusement park, the cinema, or your favourite burger bar or pizza place.  

 

And the coffee is Heavenly. 

 

There's a whole world out there in search for some hope. Have you some to share? 

 

Click on the entrance on the photo above or even click for a short-cut HERE 

 

Leave us a comment - we'd love to hear from you.

 

Our address is: enquiries@holyvisions.co.uk

 

Thanx

 

GOD BLESS 

Receiving Jesus

Father Ignatius finished reading from Matthew Chapter 8 Verse 5 then waited for the congregation to sit down.

“Imagine,” he said, “that I asked you to share your lunch with me today …

“If I said that Mrs Davenport, our housekeeper, has gone away suddenly and has not prepared Sunday lunch. So instead of staying at home alone with a piece of bread and ginger marmalade, I’d come home with you after Mass and share your meal with you.

“What would you think?”

He waited patiently for a few seconds.

“Would you think … Oh no … I haven’t had time to clean the house. It’s in a right state and I don’t want him to see it this way!

“Or … Not today, without prior notice … All we have at home is a few eggs and some bread …

“What other reasons would cross your mind, I wonder, to stop me from visiting you unannounced?”

After a few seconds’ pause he continued.

“In today’s Gospel we read about a Roman Centurion asking Jesus to heal his servant. And when Jesus agrees and makes his way towards the house the soldier says, ‘I am not worthy that you come into my house …’

“He doesn’t stop Jesus because the house is not clean, or because he has nothing to offer Him by way of refreshments … He says that he is not worthy to have Jesus visit him.

“He is a Roman Officer, a member of an occupying army with many soldiers under his command. He has power over many men and territory. Yet, he does not feel worthy enough to have such an eminent person as Jesus visit his home.

“He goes on to say ‘Just say the word and my servant will be healed!’

“What Faith, from someone who supposedly should have no Faith at all in Jesus! After all, Jesus was considered by the Romans as just another Jew in this occupied land ... nothing special.

“He says to Jesus, ‘I trust you enough and in your power, that you only have to say it, and my servant will be well.’

“And of course Jesus heals the servant without visiting the house.”

Father Ignatius stopped for a few moments once again.

“I wonder if we have similar Faith!” he asked.

“Do we trust Jesus enough to believe that He will listen to our prayers? Or do we harbor some doubts in our minds?

“Are we worthy to have Him visit us in our homes? Or will He be shocked by the cobwebs in every corner of our soul?

“And when we come forward for Holy Communion, and repeat the Centurion’s words, do we really mean them? I am not worthy to receive You ... ... ...

“Or do we hide the cobwebs of sin in our very souls? For make no mistake about it. This is what Communion is … Jesus abiding within your very soul.

“And if there’s sin hidden in our hearts … then we are not worthy indeed to receive Him.”

MORE FATHER IGNATIUS STORIES HERE

My mid-life crisis

 

I've been thinking; when exactly does one have a mid-life crisis and how does it manifest itself? I am asking for a friend.

I looked it up and the AI says:   

A midlife crisis is a period of deep self-doubt and emotional upheaval that typically occurs between the ages of 40 and 65. Triggered by the realization of ageing and mortality, individuals reassess their life choices, leading to desires for drastic changes or a return to youth. 

The thing is; can someone have two mid-life crisis? Only, I can't afford one; I mean that's what my friend says. Having two mid-life crisis is like having two mothers-in-law. You don't want them at the same time.

Life is confusing these days and it is going so fast. No sooner it's Monday than it's the weekend again. And we're always waiting for something to happen: an appointment, a letter, a journey. Even on the news; they always say that something will happen in a while. Whether it is a political situation, economic forecast, weather outlook or whatever. It is always in a while time.

I went to see my therapist lately. The poor guy is having a mid-life financial crisis. No one is seeking his advice on anything. I asked him how did his mid-life financial crisis manifest itself. He said the bank manager closed his account.

He then advised me, on behalf of my friend of course, to take up yoghurt to find inner peace.

Apparently you sit on the floor cross-legged and try to discover your inner-self. I just could not find mine.

The lady instructor went into the plough position and showed the class how to relax

You have to stay in that position pointing your backside upwards. She did not flinch on cheek as she invited all of us to do the same.

I discovered you have to be a contortionist to get into that position. And I am totally the wrong body shape being a wee bit rotund. My legs and arms became totally entangled and I was more disjointed than ever before. I'll tell you something. Having to get into all those difficult positions and stay there for a while ... the only thing I learnt from that yoghurt session was how to hold on from breaking wind for a long period of time.

My wife suggested I take the dog for a walk more often. But the dog was too tired to join me and he did not have a mid-life crisis. I took the cat instead. He has nine lives and at least one of them must be in the middle.

I put the long retractable dog lead/leash on him and we went out. I did not want Tommy to run into the street. Instead, he climbed up a tree and stayed there. I stood by the tree holding the lead pointing upwards. People thought I was taking the tree for a walk.

Some passer-by commented that I was having a mid-life crisis. Or my friend did/does.

The Perils of Charitable Giving

Almost weekly, but particularly more so during Christmas, we receive letters through the post urging us to donate to this and that charity. So much so that you end up feeling guilty if you do not respond to one appeal or another. They all have a sad tale to tell, with photos of people in difficulties, which you can alleviate with any donation you might give.

Some charities even suggest you sponsor or "adopt" as part of your donation. For example they would say that this or that animal is threatened with extinction and if you were to promise to donate a certain sum each month you would "adopt" such an animal. They would send you a photo of the animal, sometimes a cuddly toy too, and every so often a letter "from" the animal telling you how it is doing and how happy it is in the reserve where it is living.

OK ... I go along with this marketing ploy to get you to put your hand in your pocket and donate; each month, for ever more. They do need money after all and every marketing tactic will help.

I remember when I worked for a large company and we were preparing to launch a new product the Marketing Manager asked me: "And which tactic do you prefer?" I responded: "The orange ones!" I did not last long in that firm.

Anyway, back to "adoptions". They are in fact adoptions by proxy. You send the money, they look after the animal in question for you.

After all, it would be ludicrous if they sent you the animal to look after. Can you imagine opening your front door and finding a rhinoceros out there? What would you do with him? You can hardly walk him to the park or play fetch by throwing a ball and have him run to get it back. Even if he were to chase the ball, the chances are he would pierce it with his horn.

The only thing a rhinoceros is good at is running at your jeep, (or similar car), and hitting it hard with his head. Because that's what he has been taught to do in the wild. I have seen in on TV. The interviewer introduces the animal and explains what it's good at and the animal obliges by head-butting the jeep, (or similar car). He would not do it if it was a different type of car or a bicycle for instance.

Anyway, to continue what I was saying, these adoptions are always by proxy. Or so I thought.

They asked us during Advent in church to help with continuous donations to train new priests. I kindly obliged and filled in a form.

Three days before Christmas we had a new trainee priest standing at our door. He came to live with us.

I could not believe it! I never agreed to have a priest living with us. I read the form I signed, and there, in very very small print, it said so in Santa Clause 365 Chapter 366, sub-paragraph you'll be too tired to read thus far: "The priest will live with you until he qualifies as a fully working priest and has gained at least one A Grade in his exams".

Those Catholics had tricked me once again.

Apparently I have to have this priest living with us for I don't know how long. My lawyer said it is until he finishes his training. I hope he is not a slow learner.

Can you imagine what it's like having a priest living with you? I have to mind what I say and do. For a start, I cannot watch Two and a Half Men and the adventures of Charlie Harper on TV. The priest does not approve of that. And there's a limit to how much EWTN I can take. All this religion is doing my head in.

I have even stopped drinking my favourite whisky or can of Guinness. And yet again, there's a limit to how much coffee I can take. I am so wound up I'm likely to lose control soon. Coffee is making me run to the bathroom more often than I like to.

The trainee priest sits there quietly all day reading his books and praying all the time. Every so often he asks us, ever so politely, to test him by asking him questions from his revision books. Questions like "what does ora pro nobis mean?" And other Latin phrases which he has to learn by heart. Does anyone know how to say "Clear off!" in Latin?

Worse of all, since he has been here I have had to be very nice and very good indeed. I am not myself any more. My family have noticed and liked the transformation in me. They say I am a much nicer person. That's what a lack of a good drink does to you and endless hours of EWTN. Even the cat now likes me and sits on my lap purring. It's really too much. Oh ... to be able to sin again!

I went to confession the other day and I had nothing to tell our regular priest. Ever since we've had this trainee priest living with us I have been turning into a Saint. I did not do one thing wrong or bad for ages. Not one impure thought, not one biscuit or chocolate too many, in fact none at all. Not one greedy piece of cake or my favourite cheese. In fact I am losing weight as well as being saintly - maybe it's all those sins washing away.

Can YOU imagine what it would be like having a priest living with you? Seriously now. Think about it. How would it change your life? Would it change you for the better?

Another thought - Jesus is with you right now and every day. How does this affect the way you behave?

Lifetime Regrets

 

Regrets, I've had a few; but then again, too few to mention ...

 

We have all had our fair share of regrets in life. Things we did, or did not do, or things that happened to us and left a mark or a memory in our lives. Hopefully we have learnt from the experience and moved on. But what about when something happens which results in a life-changing experience? You can regret as much as you want but what has happened has happened.

 

This happened to me many years ago. I was on holiday with a group of people in the Lake District and we lived in tents overnight. 

 

One morning I got up early before everyone else, and without telling anyone I went for a walk. I went up this hill and kept walking. It was a nice sunny morning at about 6:00am with a fresh breeze every now and then. I kept walking and going higher and higher. Pretty soon I was on top of the world. I could see the lakes and other mountain tops in the distance and the tent camp down there was nowhere to be seen.

 

It was a stupid and foolhardy thing to do. If I'd slipped and got hurt no one would find me.

 

But I did something more stupid than that. Something I regret to this day.

 

There was a small stream nearby. Water was trickling down the mountain and passing by me a few feet away. I put my hand in the water and drank a little bit. No more than a couple of spoons. It was cold and fresh. I thought nothing of it.

 

Days later, when we all got back home, I noticed one of my ears was itching a bit. I ignored it. The itch continued for a few days. I noticed whilst looking at the mirror that the ear was a little red and seemed slightly bigger in size.

 

I kept looking at the mirror daily. Sometimes more that once a day. The redness had gone, and also the itch. But the ear seemed to be growing. Or was it my imagination?

 

Eventually, I went to see the doctor. He humoured me and said peoples' ears do grow bigger as they get older. I challenged him and said surely both would grow bigger at the same rate. He said not always. 

 

I ignored the doctor and in time I ignored the ear growing too. Another thing I regret.

 

Have you noticed that I never post photos of myself on this Blog or on social media?

 

I now have an ear measuring six inches from top to bottom. Yes - six inches. The other two are much bigger than that!

THE FINAL FRONT EAR 

 

Beware of scams and scammers

 

A scam is a deceptive, dishonest scheme designed to trick individuals into handing over money, personal information, or access to accounts.

Most of us have mobile cell-phones or access to the Internet at home; or even a connection to enable us to see TV programs via the Internet.

These give scammers an opportunity to contact you and take control of your mobile phone or computer and steal your personal information like Bank Accounts details, or identity details or even your money. Here are some tips to help you avoid being a victim of scams and scammers.

If you receive a phone call, either on your mobile or your home phone, from someone you do not know saying they represent your bank, building society, TV provider, Amazon or any other organisation NEVER ever give them any personal details in your conversation. Just hang up on them. It is not rude to hang up; but it keeps you safe.

These people can be very persuasive and they'll say that your phone, or your Internet, or your Amazon (or other account) has been hacked and they want to help fix it. They are lying. Reputable firms do not contact customers like this at home.

All these people want is to gain access to your mobile or computer. They'll suggest they do a "link-up" with your equipment to sort things out for you. They'll ask you to do certain things on your phone or computer in order that they "link up" with you. DO NOT ALLOW THIS - DO NOT ATTEMPT ANY LINK UP. 

Once they have linked with your equipment they can see all your information - like Bank account details, Building Society, passwords to Amazon or other organisations you belong to and basically steal money from your accounts or hack your computer. NEVER EVER LINK YOUR CELL-PHONE OR COMPUTER WITH SOMEONE YOU DO NOT KNOW.

We repeat: these people can be very persuasive. They may try to re-assure you by saying "If you don't believe who I am from your bank (or Amazon etc ...) why not ring me back on this number ...." NEVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. DO NOT RING BACK THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU. 

The number they give you is to a colleague of theirs who will continue with the scam. If you wish to phone your bank, building society, credit card company, Amazon or whoever, to check what the scammer has told you then ring them on the number you already have on your bank statements, or on the back of your credit card etc... DO NOT RING THE NUMBER THE SCAMMER HAS GIVEN YOU. Just hang up.

Another trick the scammers do is to ask you to take a photo with your mobile of your credit card, or driving licence, or bus pass or other documents like a bank statement and text it to them in order to check your account or identity. NEVER EVER TAKE SUCH PHOTOS AND TEXT THEM BACK. 

Many people have fallen for this trick and have had their identity stolen as well as money from their accounts.

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE. Whilst they are watching the video they are recording it and gaining access to information without you realising it - like card details, or valuables you have at home. Basically, by putting your phone on video mode you have invited a stranger into your home.

Here's another new trick used lately. Using Artificial Intelligence (AI) the scammers can replicate the voice of someone you know, like a friend or relative. The voice is so authentic you'd think it is really your friend or relative calling you. The scammers then phone you using this artificial voice. You would think it is your friend but it is a computer talking to you. It will say something like this: "Hi ... this is (name) I am at the supermarket (or other shop name) and my credit card has been declined. Could you please give me the details of your credit card so I can pay for this purchase? I'll pass you on to the shopkeeper to take your details!" NEVER EVER FALL FOR THIS TRICK. The voice is so authentic you'd really think it is them, your friends or relatives, speaking to you. AI is very clever these days. Just hang up. It is never rude to hang up.

Some people try to check if it is an AI computer phoning you by asking them an inane question, like: "How was you holiday in Paris last week?" or "Did you eventually buy that red dress you wanted?" And see what the AI answers. However; we suggest you just hang up instead. You can then phone your friend/relative on the number you have for them and check whether they phoned you. Let's face it, a real friend/relative would not phone and ask for you to pay for their purchase - would they?

Here's another very clever scam. You receive a short video on your mobile cell-phone of your favourite celebrity personality. The scammers have found out who you like in music/sports etc ... by following you on social media and reading what you wrote. The video addresses you personally. It is a fake. It is not the celebrity talking to you but a well made video using Artificial Intelligence (AI) computers. 

The celebrity addressing you will suggest you join a Fan Club of supporters. There are various entry levels - Ordinary Member, Silver or Gold level etc... They'll suggest you pay up to thousands of $. Potential (false) benefits could be signed autographed photos, reduced price tickets at concerts, or even meeting the celebrity for lunch. This is all fake - the video is fake, although it is very well made, and there are no benefits available. It's a trick to steal your money. A celebrity will not meet you for personal lunch if you pay them. 

Sometimes, they ask you to go to the shop and buy gift cards instead of giving them money. You then phone them and read out the gift card number. This is the scammers preferred method; because once you read out the gift card number on the phone it can be easily cashed in by the scammer and very difficult to trace or stop.

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

Other scams involve receiving emails offering goods at reduced price, investments opportunities, and various other benefits in exchange for money or by clicking certain links on the email. Delete any emails you receive from someone you do not know - do NOT click on any links offered. 

Other emails would suggest you have been hacked and they can see all your Internet activity. Delete these as well and do not click on any links or respond to questions asked. 

On my business website - holyvisions.co.uk - I receive at least a dozen such emails a day offering all sorts of benefits like increased sales of my books, contacts with publishers, literary agents etc ... 

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

We are not sorry to repeat our advice:

NEVER EVER ALLOW ANYONE WHO PHONES YOU TO LINK-UP OR ACCESS YOUR MOBILE PHONE OR COMPUTER

NEVER EVER GIVE THEM YOUR PASSWORDS OR PIN NUMBER TO ANY ORGANISATION YOU BELONG TO - LIKE A BANK ETC...
 
NEVER EVER PHONE THEM BACK ON THE NUMBER THEY GIVE YOU

NEVER EVER TAKE PHOTOS OF CREDIT CARDS, DRIVING LICENCES AND DOCUMENTS AND TEXT THEM BACK TO THE CALLER

NEVER PUT YOUR CELL-PHONE ON CAMERA VIDEO MODE AND SHOW THE CALLER DOCUMENTS OR CARDS, OR EVEN GENERAL BACKGROUND VIDEOS OF YOUR HOUSE

NEVER EVER GIVE ANY FINANCIAL DETAILS TO SOMEONE CLAIMING TO BE YOUR FRIEND OR RELATIVE

NEVER EVER BUY A GIFT CARD AND READ ITS NUMBER TO A COMPLETE STRANGER

BEWARE OF SCAMS - UNLESS YOU HAVE INITIATED THE CALL OR THE EMAIL DO NOT RESPOND TO CONTACTS FROM STRANGERS - Just hang up.  

NEVER EVER GET FOOLED - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP - JUST HANG UP

Please share this post/information with your friends and relatives to protect them from scammers and identity thieves.

Not a member

 

Once upon a time there was a Senior Citizens Care Home which was well run and had over one hundred clients from various backgrounds. They generally got on well with each other and with the various doctors, nurses and staff who ran the place.

In the big lounge, just by the large window overlooking the back gardens, an elderly gentleman always sat there just after lunch and well into the afternoon. He liked to look at the different flowers and trees and all the various birds which visited the gardens. It was mostly seagulls because they were near the sea, although there were also starlings, blackbirds, robins and sometimes pigeons. He even saw a fox pass by once or twice.

It was better than watching TV in the other lounge, or playing cards, or board games or with jigsaw puzzles as the other guests tended to do. Here he was all alone watching the gardens at all weathers for a couple of hours or so, and sometimes dozing off after a good lunch.

One day, a group of the seniors, about a dozen or so, decided to set up a Bible Study group twice a week on Mondays and Wednesdays. They agreed to meet up in the big lounge just after lunch.

At their first meeting they gathered there and found the old man by the large window. They ignored him and they sat at the opposite end of the lounge round a table and started with a short prayer. They then read a passage from the Bible and discussed it amongst themselves to discover what it meant to each of them and how relevant it was in their life. The old man remained at his seat looking out of the window. When they finished their session which was about an hour or so they all left.

This went on for two or three weeks. They got there after lunch and the old man was already at his seat by the window looking out.

Then some of them said they were uncomfortable speaking about the Bible and their beliefs and their life experiences with this old man, whom they knew as a guest in the Care Home, always sitting there and perhaps listening to the conversation. In truth, he was not listening but most probably dozing off most of the time. But they were not to know. They talked about it and decided to confront him at their next meeting.

One of them approached him and said, "Hello Gerard, we normally meet here twice a week for our Bible Study and you're always here!"

"Yes I am," replied the frail old man, "I like to watch the wildlife out the window!"

"But you're not one of us," said the spokesman for the group as the others gathered round, some of them nodding in silence, "you see, we feel a bit inhibited speaking about Christianity and what it means to us with a stranger in the room!"

"What we say is personal to us," added one of them, "Christianity is a personal thing ..."

"You're not even a member of the Bible Study group," said another member.

"Actually," the old man said with a smile, "I don't listen much to what you say with my hearing aids turned down low. I just watch the birds out of the window; I've been doing so for a while. If I were a member of the group would that be OK with you? I could sit here and listen to you at the same time."

They looked at each other in silence and most of them nodded.   

"Yes," said the spokesman, "it would be OK for you to join us and sit here if you wish. We could pull the table nearer to you. Tell us about yourself." 

"I am an old retired priest," he replied with a smile, "my church was in another town far away and when I retired they offered to put me up in a monastery nearby. I asked if it were possible to come here in my old home town where my family can visit me from time to time!" 

Now check Mark 9:38